Difficulty
Advanced
Best Season
June – November
Water Temp
24–29°C (75–84°F)
Visibility
15–40m (50–130ft)
Why Dive Cocos Island?
Hammerhead heaven and the ultimate big animal adventure
No facilities - entirely liveaboard based. 10-day trips typical.
Dive Highlights
- Massive schools of scalloped hammerheads
- Whale shark encounters
- White-tip reef sharks everywhere
- Remote uninhabited island
Signature Dive Sites
Bajo Alcyone
Dirty Rock
Manuelita Outside
Dos Amigos
Marine Life You Might See
Hammerhead sharks (hundreds)Whale sharksManta raysMarble raysTunaSilky sharks
Photo Gallery
Conditions & Logistics
Certification Level
Advanced Open Water+ (100+ dives strongly recommended)
Typical Conditions
Strong currents, surge, advanced ocean diving
Getting There
Liveaboard-only. Boats depart from Puntarenas, Costa Rica (36-hour crossing).
Travel Tips
- Book 12-18 months in advance
- Bring strong seasickness remedies
- Pack for long liveaboard (limited washing)
- Budget $4,500-6,500 for trip
Recommended Training
Safety Note
Extremely remote with no medical facilities. Strong currents and surge. Very advanced diving only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cocos Island
QHow many hammerheads will I see?
Cocos Island is famous for massive hammerhead schools - 50-200+ sharks at once is common at sites like Bajo Alcyone. It's one of the most reliable places on Earth for hammerhead encounters.
QHow do I prepare for Cocos Island?
This is expert-level diving - 100+ dives recommended. Practice drift diving, deep diving, and safety stops. Be very comfortable in strong currents. Physical fitness is essential.
QWhy is Cocos so expensive?
The 36-hour crossing, remote location, limited permits, and small number of operators drive costs up. Most divers say it's worth every penny for the shark encounters.
Ready to Dive Cocos Island?
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